His innovations seem utility based as well. On Wednesday, he was at the nets with a tennis racquet in hand, serving at the batsmen, preparing them for Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff’s sharp, short deliveries. One of his other famous practice tools also involves a tennis ball — the cloth covering over half its surface removed, making it swerve oddly to prepare batsmen for exaggerated swing and movement off the wicket.

Sehwag says his own resurgence is a good case study to measure Kirsten’s coaching. “He allows you to play your natural game. He’ll sit with you and talk things out. He will tell you not to worry too much. He says, ‘I will back you no matter what, whether you score a zero or 100, because I know you are a good player’. Gary understands each player and we can confide in him,” Sehwag said.

Paceman Ishant Sharma cited an example to explain Kirsten’s method. “During a game against Australia, I had bowled a lot of no-balls and got smashed around. I was really nervous. He simply came up to me and told me to forget what had happened in the match. Take the ball and think of the next game. You are our best bowler and nothing has changed. I felt great. In the next game, I had a great spell. He backs players when they are down,” Ishant said.

Within a team making noises worldwide, the silent teacher gets recognition only from his wards, and that’s all he wants.